Water extraction method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for extracting water from pulp and of providing a pressed block of pulp, said apparatus comprising a press chamber, opposed moisture permeable press elements at respective opposite ends of said chamber, feed means adapted to introduce a predetermined quantity of moisture containing material into the chamber, the press chamber being movable between a first position wherein the opposed moisture permeable elements are arranged in generally vertically spaced relationship, and a second position wherein the said elements are in generally horizontally spaced relationship, in which position the pressed block is discharged from the press chamber. The method includes the steps of constraining the pulp between the opposed moisture-permeable elements, pressing the pulp to extract moisture therefrom whilst the chamber is disposed horizontally, and ejecting the resultant pressed black from the chamber.

United States Patent 1191 Banks et a1.

1451 Dec. 30, 1975 [541 WATER EXTRACTION METHOD AND APPARATUS [75]Inventors: David Dugmore Banks; Francis McManus, both of Blackburn,England [73] Assignee: Scapa Engineering Limited, England [22] Filed:Feb. 4, 1975 [21] Appl. No.: 547,059

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 8, 1974 United Kingdom5970/74 [52] US. Cl. 100/116; 100/37; 100/42; 100/215; 100/218 [51] Int.C1. B30B 9/06; B30B 15/32 [58] Field of Search 100/110, 116, 98, 215,100/218, 137-143, 42, 223, DIG. 5, DlG. 6,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1904 Kirshner 100/116 X7/1930 Carver 3/1970 Hunt 100/218 UX 3,722,403 3/1973 Longo 100/215Primary ExaminerPeter Feldman Attorney, Agent, or FirmShoemaker andMattare 57 ABSTRACT Apparatus and method for extracting water from pulpand of providing a pressed block of pulp, said apparatus comprising apress chamber, opposed moisture permeable press elements at respectiveopposite ends of said chamber, feed means adapted to introduce apredetermined quantity of moisture containing material into the chamber,the press chamber being movable between a first position wherein theopposed moisture permeable elements are arranged in generally verticallyspaced relationship, and a second position wherein the said elements arein generally horizontally spaced relationship, in which position thepressed block is discharged from the press chamber.

The method includes the steps of constraining the pulp between theopposed moisture-permeable elements, pressing the pulp to extractmoisture therefrom whilst the chamber is disposed horizontally, andejecting the resultant pressed black from the chamber.

17 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures U.S Patent Dec.30, 1975 Sheet 1 of33,929,061

: mM 3 mm mm vim E WW8 NVQW US. Patent Dec. 30, 1975 Sheet 2 of33,929,061

mm mm US. Patent Dec. 30, 1975 Sheet 3 of3 3,929,061

WATER EXTRACTION METHOD AND APPARATUS The invention concerns waterextraction methods, and apparatus for use in practising the same. A

One of the problems encountered in waste disposal systems is thedifficulty in handling and storing the pulped waste, particularly wherethis has a relatively high reclaim value, such as waste paper, a typicalinstance being used trading stamps which have to be pulped for securityreasons and in connection with which normal baling or incineration is anunacceptable alternative.

These stamps, when pulped for destruction, still contain about 80percent water by weight and a denser bulk with lower moisture content isdesirable. It is convenient to reduce the pulp to blocks or bricks whichcan be easily handled and stacked neatly for storage.

Initial tests show it to be desirable to limit the thickness of theblocks so as to permit the removal of a resonable amount of water, and ablock size of 12 inches X 8 inches X 2 inches has been eventuallysettled on the dry weight of the block being about 4 lbs and the densityof the block being about 50 percent better than that of conventionalbaled paper, the blocks being readily stackable on a standard 48 inchsquare pallet.

However, hithertofore difficulty has been experienced in producingblocks to this specification.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a method ofand a means for pressing pulp into block form.

According to the present invention, a method of extracting water frompulp and of providing a pressed block of pulp includes the steps ofcharging a generally vertically disposed press chamber from above withmoisture-containing pulp, constraining the pulp between opposed moisturepermeable elements arranged at the top and bottom of the said chamber,rotating the press chamber from its generally vertical disposition intoa generally horizontal disposition, pressing the pulp to extractmoisture therefrom whilst the chamber is disposed horizontally, andejecting the resultant pressed block from the chamber.

The constraining of the pulp between the opposed moisture permeableelements may be accompanied by an initial moisture extraction step.

The invention also includes apparatus for practising the method asaforesaid which comprises a press chamber, opposed moisture permeableelements at respective opposite ends of the said chamber, at least onesuch element being movably mounted for adjustment relative to the otherelement to vary the separation of the elements for providing access tothe chamber in the direction of movement of the element and forcompressing material positioned between the said elements, and feedmeans adapted to introduce a predetermined quantity ofmoisture-containing material into the chamber for support by thatmoisture-permeable element arranged in opposed disposition relative tothe aforementioned such element, the said press chamber being movablebetween a first position wherein the opposed moisture-permeable elementsare arranged in generally vertically spaced relationship, in whichposition the chamber is charged with moisture containing material, and asecond position wherein the said elements are in generally horizontallyspaced relationship,

said tray is aligned with the chute, and a discharge position, whereinthe tray is aligned with the press chamber.

According to a still further feature of the invention, a plurality ofpress chambers will be provided in side-byside disposition there beingrespective moisture-permeable elements and feed means for each suchpress chamber.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example only,with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating one embodimentthereof and in which:

FIG. 1 is an end elevation, partly in section, of a multiple-positionpress means constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of theapparatus shown in FIG. 15 v r FIG. 3is a plan view of the multiple position press means of FIGS. 1 and 2 andI g FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration, drawn to a larger scale, of atypical moisture-permeable element as used in the apparatus. p

Referring now to the drawings, and particularlyto FIGS. 1 to 3 thereof,apparatus for extracting moisture from moisture-containing materials,say paper pulp, comprises a plurality of press units 11 arranged inbanks at opposite sides of a machine framework 12, the said press-units11 being connected with a common supply hopper 13, as will hereafterbecome apparent.

The press-units 11 are of a like kind and each consists of a sleeve-likepress-chamber body 14 of generally rectangular transverse cross-sectionmounted for pivotal motion about a horizontal axis 1-5 under the controlof a piston and cylinder means 16 coupled between a fixed point 17 onthe machine framework 12 and a lug 18 mounted on the said body 14, thepress-chamber body 14 having a press-chamber 19 therein, two pressplates20, 21 arranged in opposed disposition and movable axially of the pressbody under the control of respective piston and cylinder means 22, 23,and a feed means 24 including a feed tray 25 adapted to receive materialto be pressed from a supply thereof and to deliver the same to thepress-chamber.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 each press-unit 11 is initially arranged withthe axis of the press-chamber 19 thereof arranged generally vertically,the press-plates 20, 21 being in vertically spaced opposed dispositionand respectively defining the top and the bottom of the press-chamber.The upper press-plate 20, as seen in FIG. 1, is movable into or out ofengagement with the top of the presschamber body 14, whilst the lowerpress-plate 21 is movable axially of such body to compress materialwithin the press-chamber 19 against the upper press-plate 20.

Each press-plate 20, 21 is of the form shown diagrammatically in FIG. 4,and comprises a hollow body 26 of a transverse cross-section tocorrespond with that of the press-chamber, the front face 26a of theplate being provided with apertures 27 therein for drainage purposes andbeing covered by a suitable filter element 28 secured to the body in anyconvenient manner. The apertures 27 are inclined such that with the unit11 pivoted so that the axis of the filter chamber is generallyhorizontal the apertures are inclined downwardly and inwardly of thehollow body. A drainage opening 29 is provided at the bottom of thehollow body.

. The feed means 24 for each unit comprises a generally vertical feedchute 30 extending downwardly from the common hopper 13, the feed tray25 aforesaid which is movable to or from alignment with the chute 30 atthe lower end thereof, a closure means 31 formed register with the feedchute 30 into alignment with the integrally with the-tray and movabletherewith to close the lower end of the chute as the tray is moved awayfrom its position of alignment therewith, and a piston and cylinderarrangement 32 adapted to move the tray between its position ofalignment with the chute 30 and a position of alignment with thepress-chamber 19.

The tray 25 is open-bottomed and moves in contact 'witha fixed,horizontal support surface 33, the said surface extending to a positiondirectly adjacent to the press-chamber body 14 and in horizontalalignment with the top of the press-chamber.

The transverse cross-sectional dimensions of the tray correspond tothose of the lower end of the feed chute 30, which feed chute is ofincreasing cross-section towardsits lower end, and the capacity of thetray is selected having regard to the volume of the presschamber and tothesize of the charge to be fed thereto.

The closure means 31 comprises a plate extending rearwardly from thetray and in horizontal alignment withi the top thereof, the said platehaving a cutting edge 34 at its forward extremity to preclude trappingof material under processing between the front lower edge of the chute35 and the corresponding rear upper edge 36 of the 'tray'.Alternatively, a cutting edge could be providedat the from lower edge ofthe chute. The piston and cylinder means 32 is supported on the machineframework in horizontal disposition, partially underlying the platedefining the closure means 31 aforesaid, and the piston 37 thereof issecured to a lug 38 extending rearwardly from the back of the tray.Actuation of the piston and cylinder means 32 serves to move the tray 25forwardly from its position of alignment with the lower end of the chuteacross the top of the press-chamber and into alignment therewith. As thetray moves forwardly beyond the front edge 39 of the support surface 33the open bottom of the tray is put in communication with thepress-chamber and the contents of the tray fall, under gravity, into thechamber, the flowability characteristics of the material underprocessing being such that there is no significant forward movement ofthe contents of the tray, and thus no continuing filling of the tray, asthe material falls into the chamber.

A conveyor means 40 is provided in front of each of the banks ofpress-units l l, the said conveyor means 40 serving to receive blocks 41ejected from the presschamber and to transfer the same for collectionand disposal. As will hereafter be made apparent, the conveyor means 40is of generally open-work form to allow of the ready drainage of waterfalling thereon from the unit upon the pivoting thereof back to itsvertical disposition.

press-chamber 19.

The uppermost press-plate 20 is retracted to provide for the movement ofthe tray across the top of the chamber, whilst the lowermost press-plate21 is at the bottom of the chamber so as to form a closure thereto.

On retraction of the tray, the uppermost press-plate 20 is moveddownwardly under the control of its piston and cylinder means 22 intoengagement with the top of the press-chamber body 14, thus to close thechamber 19, and the unit 11 is pivoted forwardly, to the dotted positionshown, by actuation of the piston and cylinder means 16. Actuation ofthe piston and cylinder means 23 of the lower press-plate 21 axially ofthe presschamber 19 to compress the material therein. Expressed moisturepasses through the filter elements 28 at the front faces of thepress-plates to the interior of the hollow bodies 26 which define. suchplates, and drains from such bodies through the drainage openings 29therein. 5

On completion of the pressing cycle the upper pressure-plate 20 isretracted and the lower press-plate 21 ejects the block 41 ofcompressed, dewatered pulp onto the conveyor.

The unit-11 is moved back to its generally vertical disposition afterthe block 41 has been moved along the conveyor 40 and out of registerwith the unit, any water draining from the faces of the press-platesduring the pivoting motion thereof passing through the reticulateconveyor and thereby away from the pressed blocks. During the pressingoperation the feed tray will have been recharged from the hopper, andthe cycle of operation is repeated.

For convenience, each bank of press units is pivoted between verticaland horizontal positions by a respective common piston and cylindermeans.

Similarly, all of the feed chutes connect with a common feed hopper 13.The feed hopper comprises an annular bottom plate 42 having anupstanding wall 43 about the periphery thereof, a rotatable cone-shapedcore 44 to the hopper arranged coaxially with the bottom plate 42, and aplurality of paddles 45 secured to the core 44 and extending generallyradially thereof.

The bottom plate, 42 is apertured in register with the tops of the feedchutes, the apertures 46 being in two banks of four, to correspond tothe banks of pressunits.

The cone-shaped core 44 is mounted on suitable support means 47 forrotation about the axis of the cone, and a drive means 48 is provided toeffect such rotation.

The paddles 45.are .of cranked form, the upper region 45a beingsecuredto the core and the lower, or blade region 45b extending across thetrough to sweep the bottom thereof. I

At its lower edge the blade region has nylon brushes, not shown, incontactwith the bottom of the trough.

The invention is not restricted to the exact features of the embodimentdescribed, since alternatives will readily present themselves to oneskilled in the art. Thus, whilst the feed hopper arrangementhereinbefore described may be found satisfactory, in some cases we mayprefer to use an arrangement wherein the paddles are curved backwardlyin relation to the direction of rotation of the core.

Whilst we have described the invention in connection with amultiple-chamber machine, a single chamber arrangement may be foundadequate in some cases. If a multiple-chamber machine is required, thenthe chambers may be arranged other than in banks. If required, the unitsmay be angularly spaced about a common centre and pivoted individually.The units may be operated in sequence, if desired.

We claim:

1. A method of extracting water from pulp and of providing a pressedblock of pulp including the steps of charging a generally verticallydisposed press-chamber from above with moisture-containing pulp,constraining the pulp between opposed moisture-permeable elementsarranged at the top and bottom of the said chamber, rotating thepress-chamber from its generally vertical disposition into a generallyhorizontal disposition, pressing the pulp to extract moisture therefromwhilst the chamber is disposed horizontally, and ejecting the resultantpressed block from the chamber.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 including the further step ofcompressing the pulp when initially constraining the same, thereby toeffect a preliminary extraction of moisture therefrom.

3. Apparatus for extracting water from pulp and of providing a pressedblock of pulp, comprising a presschamber, opposed moisture-permeableelements at respective opposite ends of the said chamber, at least onesuch element being movably mounted for adjustment relative to the otherelement to vary the separation of the elements for providing access tothe chamber in the direction of movement of the element and forcompressing material positioned between the said elements, and feedmeans adapted to introduce a predetermined quantity ofmoisture-containing material into the chamber for support by thatmoisture-permeable element arranged in opposed disposition relative tothe aforementioned such element, the said press-chamber being movablebetween a first position wherein the opposed moisture-permeable elementsare arranged in generally vertically spaced relationship, in whichposition the chamber is charged with moisture-containing material, andasecond position wherein the said elements are in generally horizontallyspaced relationship, in which position the pressed block is dischargedfrom the chamber.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein both moisture-permeableelements are movable in the axial direction the the press-chamber, thatelement defining the bottom of the chamber in the vertical mode of thechamber being adapted to eject the pressed block from the chamber oncompletion of the pressing operation.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the feed means comprises afilling tray movable transversely of a feed chute between a loadposition, wherein the said tray is aligned with the chute, and adischarge position, wherein the tray is aligned with the press-chamber,the said tray being adapted to receive moisture-containing material fromthe feed chute.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the tray further includes aclosure means cooperable with the feed chute for sealing the same in thedischarge position of the tray.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plate has a cutting edgeat its forward extremity cooperable with the lower edge of the chute.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the structure comprising thepress-chamber and the moisture-permeable elements is pivotal about anaxis extending transversely of the press-chamber for movement betweenthe first and second positions.

9. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 3, wherein each moisture-permeableelement comprises a hollow body having an apertured front face theretoand a filter element extending across the said front face.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the apertures in the frontface of the body are inwardly and downwardly inclined with respect tothe hollow body when the press-chamber is arranged with its axishorizontal.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, further including a conveyor towhich the pressed blocks are discharged.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the conveyor is ofopenwork form thereby to provide for the ready drainage of moisturetherethrough.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 including a plurality ofpress-chambers and respective moisturepermeable elements and feed meanstherefor.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, including a common hopper to whichthe individual said feed means are connected.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 including a rotator arrangedco-axially with and rotatable relative to the said hopper, the saidrotator comprising a cone shaped core and a plurality of paddlesextending radially outwardly thereof, the said paddles being shaped anddimensioned to displace material lying on the floor of the hopper onrotation relative to the hopper.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, further including pressure fluidoperated piston and cylinder means adapted for effecting movement ofeach movable moisture-permeable element.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, further including pressure fluidoperated piston and cylinder means adapted for effecting movement of theor each presschamber between first and second positions thereof.

1. A method of extracting water from pulp and of providing a pressedblock of pulp including the steps of charging a generally verticallydisposed press-chamber from above with moisturecontaining pulp,constraining the pulp between opposed moisturepermeable elementsarranged at the top and bottom of the said chamber, rotating thepress-chamber from its generally vertical disposition into a generallyhorizontal disposition, pressing the pulp to extract moisture thErefromwhilst the chamber is disposed horizontally, and ejecting the resultantpressed block from the chamber.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1including the further step of compressing the pulp when initiallyconstraining the same, thereby to effect a preliminary extraction ofmoisture therefrom.
 3. Apparatus for extracting water from pulp and ofproviding a pressed block of pulp, comprising a press-chamber, opposedmoisture-permeable elements at respective opposite ends of the saidchamber, at least one such element being movably mounted for adjustmentrelative to the other element to vary the separation of the elements forproviding access to the chamber in the direction of movement of theelement and for compressing material positioned between the saidelements, and feed means adapted to introduce a predetermined quantityof moisture-containing material into the chamber for support by thatmoisture-permeable element arranged in opposed disposition relative tothe aforementioned such element, the said press-chamber being movablebetween a first position wherein the opposed moisture-permeable elementsare arranged in generally vertically spaced relationship, in whichposition the chamber is charged with moisture-containing material, and asecond position wherein the said elements are in generally horizontallyspaced relationship, in which position the pressed block is dischargedfrom the chamber.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein bothmoisture-permeable elements are movable in the axial direction the thepress-chamber, that element defining the bottom of the chamber in thevertical mode of the chamber being adapted to eject the pressed blockfrom the chamber on completion of the pressing operation.
 5. Apparatusas claimed in claim 3, wherein the feed means comprises a filling traymovable transversely of a feed chute between a load position, whereinthe said tray is aligned with the chute, and a discharge position,wherein the tray is aligned with the press-chamber, the said tray beingadapted to receive moisture-containing material from the feed chute. 6.Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the tray further includes aclosure means cooperable with the feed chute for sealing the same in thedischarge position of the tray.
 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6,wherein the plate has a cutting edge at its forward extremity cooperablewith the lower edge of the chute.
 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3,wherein the structure comprising the press-chamber and themoisture-permeable elements is pivotal about an axis extendingtransversely of the press-chamber for movement between the first andsecond positions.
 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein eachmoisture-permeable element comprises a hollow body having an aperturedfront face thereto and a filter element extending across the said frontface.
 10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the apertures in thefront face of the body are inwardly and downwardly inclined with respectto the hollow body when the press-chamber is arranged with its axishorizontal.
 11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, further including aconveyor to which the pressed blocks are discharged.
 12. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 11, wherein the conveyor is of openwork form thereby toprovide for the ready drainage of moisture therethrough.
 13. Apparatusas claimed in claim 3 including a plurality of press-chambers andrespective moisture-permeable elements and feed means therefor. 14.Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, including a common hopper to which theindividual said feed means are connected.
 15. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 14 including a rotator arranged co-axially with and rotatablerelative to the said hopper, the said rotator comprising a cone-shapedcore and a plurality of paddles extending radially outwardly thereof,the said paddles being shaped and dimensioned to displace material lyingon the floor of the hopper on rotation relative to the hopper. 16.Apparatus as claimed in clAim 3, further including pressure fluidoperated piston and cylinder means adapted for effecting movement ofeach movable moisture-permeable element.
 17. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 3, further including pressure fluid operated piston and cylindermeans adapted for effecting movement of the or each press-chamberbetween first and second positions thereof.